Attachment for t-stands



m 27, 1941. VJ.S;ADAMSON 2,243,511

ATTACHMENT FOR T STANDS Filed Aug; 8, 1939 Patented May 27, 1941 STATS QFFHQE 2 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in devices for aiding in the display of merchandise. Its use is primarily intended for store windows, although, obviously, it can be employed in any other place or under any other circumstance wherein it is desired to support an article or articles for inspection.

The particular use of the device in store windows is emphasized herein solely for the purpose of adhering to a single example. The practice of arranging articles in display positions in store windows is so common that the details do not have to be set out here. It is sufficient to say that contrivances commonly known as T-stands are used in this practice, said stands consisting of a base with a main upstanding rod. It is in conjunction with these T-stands that the invention is used as an attachment, and the manner in which the latter can be adjusted makes it possible to produce extremely attractive display supports. With this preamble in mind the following objects of the invention can be understood:

First, to provide a device for use in displaying articles in store windows, on counters, and the like, for exhibition, sale and similar purposes, said device having as one of its advantages a wide choice of settings so that the goods can be shown in the very best of aspects.

Second, to provide an attachment for window and similar display stands which includes an adjustable end fixture which is readily adaptable to gripping virtually any type of merchandise, glass or metal shields, sign cards and the like, all to the purpose of attracting persons passing by as to what it is that the merchant has to offer.

Other objects and advantages will appear in the following specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of the improved attachment, parts being shown in section.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the attachment, the main rod of a T-stand being shown in section.

Figure 3 is a section taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1, parts being shown in elevation.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of one of the end fixtures, certain parts being shown separated.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the supporting block and clamp means.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of one of the jointed parts of the end fixture.

Figure '7 is a detail perspective view of one end of one of the display rods.

The previously mentioned main rod l of a T- stand, the base of which is not disclosed herein,

is adapted to be gripped by the jaws 2 which con- 7 across the edge 8 of thethimble 5. is desirably rounded, but the cross sectional shape stitute parts of a clamp means generally designated 3. The jaws 2 have confronting notches 4 to collectively form a recess for the occupancy of the main rod I. Said notches are lined with a rubber or similar inserts 5 to protect the surface of the rod l which usually consists of a fine chrome finish.

The foregoing clamp means 3 thimble B. This thimble is hollow (Fig. 3), and necessarily so because the jaws 2 are adapted to be drawn thereinto in order to close them against the main rod I. For this purpose the jaws 2 have cam backs I which are adapted to be urged Said edge may conceivably be otherwise without affecting the principle involved here.

A plate 9 is an integral part of the thimble 6 (Fig. 3). The hollow interior of the latter extends into the plate 9 where the configuration is such that a seat Iii is formed where the hollow merges into a hole 'I I. Said hole is occupied by a threaded stem [2 which is shouldered at l3 at the base of a fork I4. Said stem 12, shoulder I3 and fork l4 comprise one part, and the latter provides the support for the pivot l5 through which the overlapped ends iii of the jaws 2 are movably connected with the stem. The latter carries a knurled nut I! by which the jaws are tightened and loosened.

It is readily seen that when the jaws 2 are spread the requisite distance to accommodate the main rod I, their cam backs will ride the rounded edge 8 of the thimble 6. This spreading is made possible by unscrewing the nut I1 and pushing the jaws 2 outwardly of the thimble 6. When the jaws 2 are then engaged with the main rod I a tightening is produced by screwing.

the nut I! in, the cam backs I then riding the edge 8 to produce the necessary grip. The engagement of the shoulder I3 with the seat l0 marks the limit of inward movement of the jaws, but this engagement does not occur when the latter are closed upon the main rod l.

The thimble 6 and rod plate 9 being integral,

as previously stated, comprise a supporting block collectively designated I8. The reason for this designation is that said block carries a plurality includes a parts 24, 25. These parts have contacting flanges 26 which are held together by a screw 21 and wing nut 28. The latter is tightened when the desired relative adjustment of the parts 24 and 25 is secured.

The part 24 includes holding means 29. This holding means comprises the circular head 30 in the center of which the threaded stem 3| of a head 32 is screwed. The heads 30, 32 are substantially the same in size, and when the screw head 32 is driven in it provides a clamp for the article which is emplaced in the space between it and the head 30.

The part 25 has a bore 33 which has a tight friction fit upon a pin 34. Said pin projects from the respective end 23 of the display rod I9 and has the part 25 seated thereupon as shown in Fig. 1. The fit is tight as just stated, yet loose enough to permit changing the position of the end fixture 22 in respect to the rod 19 when a forcible turning effort is applied to the former.

The operation of the attachment is readily understood. The jaws 2 are loosened sufficiently to permit fitting them upon the upright main rod I of a T-stand. The grip is secured by screwing the nut ll inwardly upon the: stem I2. The attachment is then disposed crosswise of the main rod I, and its altitude upon said main rod is a matter of selection.

The display rods 19 can be extended or adjusted inwardly as far as desired, and the end fixtures 22 can be turned both horizontally and vertically in order to establish the best position of the article gripped by the holding means 29.

In actual practice one or more of the attachments is intended to be used on the main rod I of the T-stand. The rods l9 are extended out at various distances, but on a symmetrical order, and fixtures 22 it becomes possible to produce a very by properly adjusting the positions of the end attractive display apparatus. The materials of the parts of the attachment are subject to choice, and the attachments are capable of being finished in any one or combination of a wide variety of colors.

I claim:

1. An attachment for a T-stand, said T-stand including a main upright rod, a pair of jaws having confronting notches disposed crosswise of the jaws, said jaws having cam backs, laterally extending rods to which articles of merchandise are adapted to be attached, a supporting block carried by said jaws and constituting the carrier of said laterally extending rods, said block including a horizontally disposed thimble in which said jaws are loosely situated, and means hingedly connecting the jaws and being operable to urge the cam backs across an edge of the thimble after the emplacement of said jaws upon said main rod, thereby to close the jaws.

2. An attachment for a T-stand, said T-stand including a main upright rod, a pair of jaws having confronting notches disposed crosswise of the jaws, said jaws having cam backs, laterally extending rods to which articles of merchandise are adapted to be attached, a supporting block carried by said jaws and constituting the carrier of said laterally extending rods, said block including a horizontally disposed thimble in which said jaws are loosely situated, a stem having a fork located inside of the thimble to which fork the jaws are movably attached, said stem extending through the supporting block to the side thereof farthest from the thimble, and means to pull upon said stern acting against the block to draw the cam backs across an edge of the thimble thereby to close the jaws upon said upright rod.

JOHN S. ADAMSON. 

